Owner: In Fact, Ah URL:http://www.infactah.com Join Date: Sat, 19 Aug 2006 09:31:45 -0500 Rating:1 Site Description: An Irish blog that discusses life, the arts, politics and anything that's trivial enough to disseminate to the big InterWeb. Irish Blog Awards nominee in 2006, more fact less fiction. Site statistics:Click here
Cheltenham Part 2 - World Hurdle & Royal Sun Alliance Hurdle 1970-01-01 00:59:59 The second installment from In Fact, Ah's expert on the contests of speed among horses that either are ridden by jockeys or pull sulkies and their drivers - Francie. Just so you know, the CheltenhamWorldHurdle
is taking place on Gold Cup day which also happens to be Ireland's National Drink Day, sometimes even called St.Patrick's Day. It's impossible to oppose the favourite Black Jack Ketchum here. If I was going to pick a banker for the festival it would have to be this horse, or should I say "machine"? Black Jack Ketchum has it all: speed, stamina and jumping ability. Currently trading at 4/5, he'll be extremely hard to beat unless conditions are very testing. Even then, I can't envisage this horse losing. Put the house, kids, wife and pension trust on him. Two horses I can see challenging Black Jack Ketchum to the line is firstly, Asian Maze, and that's if he runs. He's also entered for the Champion Hurdle, and currently trading at 10/1 he gives a bit of each-way valu Read more:Royal
, Alliance
The Small Hours 1970-01-01 00:59:59 After an absence of several months I've started tuning in to Donal Dinnen again. One of the founder's of RTE's legendary 'No Disco' and long time host of his own late night show 'The SmallHours
" on TodayFM, I've been a fan for years. Long before Lastfm.com, Pitchforkmedia or music blogs Dr Donal was my musical reference of choice. Since my early days in college I'd tune in as often as possible from 11pm for what was a guaranteed 3 hours of brilliant music in an otherwise, bleak, NME inspired world of pseudo-alternative music on the Irish air waves. (Tom Dunne has a lot to answer for). Dineen 's knowledge and collection of music is truely incredible and he has introduced me to many great artists over the years, the likes of Aphex Twin, Lali Puna, Sparklehorse, Susoma Yakota, Autechre, Board of Canada, the magical Lacklustre.His fondness for low key electronic tunes and avant-garde electro was something that always made sure I returned regularly despite his muffled muttering
The Caucau Show 1970-01-01 00:59:59 "A tractor on aviation fuel."That's how Dewi Morris described Rupeni Caucaunibuca (or Caucau as he is affectionatley known) during the weekend's Heineken Cup action on Sky Sports. Veteran World Cup winner Mike Tindall said 'Quite honestly he is the best player I have ever played against.'It's hard to overstate the freakish nature of Caucau's natural talent and ability. He is one of those once in a generation sportsmen. He arrived in France from Auckland Blues in 2004 and made an instant impact. Top try scorer in France's Top 14 for 2004/05 and 2005/06, last October he was named France's Rugby Player of the year. Quite an accolade for a foreign sportsman plying his trade in France. Despite his habit of going absent without leave during preseason for both club and country, the Fijian's star has continued to rise and has been capped with some mercurial displays this season. At only 26, I have no doubt he is a more gifted player than Jonah Lomu, a player who still receives unwarra
Sad day for the Internet in Ireland 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Image from Letter to AmericaDear readers,Already one the edge with six pints tonight after watching Sheffield Wednesday lose to Man City in the FA Cup, you can imagine the horror I felt when Mulley informed me (via Jett Loe) that Sligo Ãine was no more. She's only gone and consigned Sligozone.net to memory! After a combustible year across the media, Ãine has decided to retire from the public gaze.In Fact, Ah, from first hand information, were made aware earlier in the year that she came up against "artistic" obstacles that prevented any further development of a career in the media.We wish the best to Ãine and hope that she returns soon to a Internet
site near you.tags:sligo aine Read more:Ireland
Primavera 2007 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Spain's premier music festival, Primavera, have announced their first additions to 2007's line-up. Established names such as Modest Mouse (now with ex-smiths guitarist Johnny Marr), Low, Dirty Three, Band of Horses and Grizzly bear have all thrown their hat into the ring. There's plenty of hard-ass rock as well with Isis and Pelican on hand to grind you down. The highlight, however, has to be the appearance of Slint who are intending to play their haunting classic, Spiderland, in its entirety. Many more acts to be announced and it takes place in Barcelona on the 31st of May-2nd of June. Only €85 blips for a 3-day ticket, sure why wouldn't ya?tags:[Primavera]
Big Bother 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Dedicated Celebrity Big Brother follower and In Fact, Ah social commentator Francie has a bone to pick with Jade Goody and Shilpa Shetty. Do they eat bones in India? Just wondering like. P.S. Don't bother with the "In Fact, Ah are racist" comments. Been there, refuted that.This year's Celebrity Big Brother had got off to a slow start and viewing figures had started to slump, but on Day 7, that all changed.The show has been entangled with a huge row of alleged racism on the show towards contestant, Bollywood actress, Shilpa Shetty. A clique of contestants led by the motor mouth and former Big Brother contestant Jade Goody have turned on Shetty and portrayed the underlining hatred towards outsiders, still evident amongst many UK nationalists. Goody, who we know from her appearance on the 2002 show, has amassed a personal wealth of £8m sterling following her celebrity status derived from her show antics. This despite coming out with such classics as "They were trying to use me as an
The Shins: "Wincing the Night Away" 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Something that both I and James Mercer suffer from is an addiction to the three-chord pop wonder. Me, because they're easy to play on the guitar and him because he's so prodigious at creating them. Dylan, Young and lots more folk artists have perfected this in the past. Unfortunately however, TV shows and bland movie directors like Zach Braff have been queueing up to get the chance to soundtrack a song from the critically acclaimed Oh, Inverted World and Chutes Too Narrow. One of the side-effects of this popularity has been the onset of insomnia, so bluntly portrayed by The Shin's third album, Wincing the Night
Away.And no better album indeed to start a new day and end a good night. You'll go to bed thinking happy, positive thoughts. The ceiling may spin but only as a result of the kaleidoscopic intensity of the incredibly produced vocals and hooks that come from instant classics such as Australia and Phantom Limb. Listen to it on the way to work and I dare you not to tap something Read more:Shins
Le Tour de Farce 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Flickr user: missingsaddleHe knows his male hormones, does our Francie. Last year's winner of the Tour De France, Floyd Landis, has been busy trying to drum up support over doping allegations in relation to his controversial triumph. Landis can be seen as one of the lucky cyclists in the past few years making a decent amount of money as far as cyclists go. But with expected costs of up to $2 million for his defence hearing, he's having to trail America doing information/benefit sessions to gain as many mighty dollars as he can.I know of a guy who recently attended one of these sessions in New York, and his e-mail on the subject piqued my interest in the whole case. He met Landis on the night and said how he took the time to talk with just about everybody in the place (2-300 people). On the night an auction took place to raise funds and one of the more interesting items sold was a signed Jack Daniels bottle (Landis notoriously blamed Jack Daniels as a potential reason for the test r Read more:Farce
Friday's Football Teaser 1970-01-01 00:59:59 There's nothing like a football teaser to liven up a boring night in the pub. Answers to this seemingly impossible question are fire out left, right and center. Heads are scratched, fists clenched and mini scuffles erupt more frequently than a row in an Ireland v Australia international rules match. The local's 'stato' is dragged into the debate and there are delirious scenes of joy when eventually the puzzle is solved. Well last night, when presented with the following teaser, was such a night.Name 2 Irish players, 2 Welsh players and 2 English players who during their careers played with THREE clubs which won the European Cup/Champions league. The players may not necessarily have won the competition while playing but the club they played for must have won the European Cup in its history.For any clarifications and possible hints use the comments and we'll give out the answer later on today.And no - one of the English players isn't $tevie Me.tags:Soccer Read more:Friday
, Football
, Teaser
Hurrah. January's nearly over 1970-01-01 00:59:59 One of the Most Interesting on Flickr this week. From Señor Codo's collection. One of the best headlines I've seen on a rag for some time. This one's from the London evening freesheet, thelondonpaper.Pig Farmer: Serial Murder Claims "Hogwash". Bet you this guy is cussing his luck that he doesn't have Tony Killeen as his local representative.Are you ready for the Wow!? Windows Vista goes on general release at midnight. As Ballmer might say: "Aero!, Aero!, Aero!". In reaction to the news that Motorola may axe 350 Cork jobs, Labour councillor Ciarán Lynch says: "Such job losses would represent a savage blow to the local economy and to the families directly affected." What type of public representative would use the word savage in this context? Now a nice pint of stout could be aptly described as 'savage' ...Latest play to hit London's West End ... "Harry Potter and the Erotic Fixation with Horses". tags:links Read more:January
In Fact, Ah , Six Nations What's The Score Competition 1970-01-01 00:59:59 As you are all aware, Ireland are about to embark on a Six Nation's rugby campaign generating public fervour and interest the likes of which hasn't been seen before. With so many once in a generation type players lining out in green we've never had it so good. With all that's been written in the last days and weeks it's hard to keep your feet on the ground.In order to focus some of the brute force of this mass public sporting convulsion that is about to wash over the country I'd like to give you all an opportunity to display your tipping skills. Fantasy/Shmantasy, we've all been there and done that with the soccer, and we sure don't need people from other footballing codes coming into our blog arena and telling us how to run our tipping games.So instead of Fantasy Rugby, I've got something altogether simpler and less involved. On each of the five match weekends over the course of the competition, all you've got to do is guess the scoreline in each of the three matches Read more:Nations
, Score
, Six Nations
Kauto Star on the rise 1970-01-01 00:59:59 A woman I knew regularly took the opportunity to deride the beautiful game of soccer by describing it as nothing more than grown men running around a field after a ball of air. To my mind, horse racing is a bunch of four-footed animals mounted by men of stunted growth chasing each other around a field, sometimes jumping over a ditch.Anyway, here are some more sage words on the sport from a guy who's spent many a Cheltenham smashing up B&Bs, drinking with RTE personalities and making a show of Offaly. He'd prefer to remain incognito, so we'll give him a similar name. Ladies and gents, I hand you over to Adrian Harrington.The biggest question going into the festival this year will be can Kauto Star safely negotiate his way around the Cotswolds? And if he does, will he annihilate his opponents as he has done this season already? The most probable answer is a resounding yes. Even though he does not jump that well, Kauto Star seems to have the athleticism to recover. When One Knight won
I have seen the future 1970-01-01 00:59:59 This what I'll look like when I'm older apparently (presumably, headphones will look stupid in 2050). Go to the Perception Laboratory's Face Transformer and see what you would look like if you were black, white, a female, a male, from East Asia, from West Asia and so on. Hours of fun.tags:morph
Britain in the grip of an identity crisis 1970-01-01 00:59:59 One of the first complaints you'll hear about an emerging ethnic influence in any country is that the indigenous culture and identity
is being diluted. Understanding the national identity is probably not the most pressing matter for an economic migrant entering a country by shipping container. Finding somewhere to stay and having food to eat could be considered more relevant in the alien's eyes.Pity then that these containers don't come equipped with a welcome pack that would ease the transition. Imagine a guide to Ireland for Brazilian factory workers who, sans the language and a working permit, go to work packing meat in Roscommon. There might be sections on "How to order a breakfast roll in Gweedore" or "The Game of Shinty" and so on. Think of how assured these workers would feel then.But that compilation would be as easy as what was put together as Old Moore's Almanac. We're Irish and what it means to be that way is as clear as Eamon Casey's conscience. The British on the ot Read more:Britain
Cheltenham - Part 3 Champion Hurdle 1970-01-01 00:59:59 The First big race of festival week is the Champion Hurdle
ran on day one. Run just over 2miles, its ran a quite a gallop, but winners must be able to clear each hurdle and then tackle the famous uphill finish at an electrfying speed to come home first. The Irish have done very well in the race in recent years, with the great Aiden O'Brein trained Istabraq winning it 3 times, denied a certain history making 4 in a row by the foot and mouth outbreak, which led to the cancellation of the festival. More recently Hardy Eustace has won it twice and last years winner Brave Inca has added to Irelands recent success.Brave Inca is back to defend his crown, but he will face stern competition from a number of contenders, most notebly, the english trained Detroit City. Previous winner Hardy Eustace, ran a great race in beating both Brave Inca & Macs Joy to capture the AIG Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on 28th January '07 and can't be ignored, on his recent Festival form alone. English Read more:Cheltenham
Six Nations Tipping Part 2 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I'd like to say I hope everyone enjoyed last weekend's rugby but that's probably a bit too aspirational. Whether it was the completely abysmal display of Italy by their own low standards in the competition or the likely to be proved hollow thumping England gave to the callow Scots or even the manner in which Ireland hauled themselves to victory through their experience, poise and composure when perfection in technical execution failed them there was much to be disappointed about on the opening weekend. No major shocks, except possibly super-Wilko giving what was a spectacular return performance with the whip hand in the chariot.Plenty to look forward to this week then from an Irish perspective, there's ample room for improvment and playing some truly devastating rugby. Bionic Shaggy's return is truly stunning and will do a very good job of papering over the midfield cracks should Brian O'Driscoll not make the game.Here are the week 1 results from the In Fact, Ah 6N tipping Read more:Nations
, Six Nations
C'mon Ireland 1970-01-01 00:59:59 After watching England today, I'm left with the distinct impression there's a Grand Slam hanging on a low branch for whoever wins at Croke Park tomorrow. I hope the men in green have the shoulders to throw off the yoke of cultural significance at Croker tomorrow. In any case, kudos to the GAA for providing the awesome setting.I spent some of today trying to take the edge off the nervous energy resulting from anticipation of the big game by int0rweb diversions. Here are the fruits of that labor:Live Kraftwerk performance from the German television show Club Beat in 1971 including the guys who later formed Neu! It's quite long (intro ends around 3 mins, crescendos soon after 6 and 9 minutes) but very worthwhile:The most surreally beautiful video clip I've ever seen on the UtubeTron. Pristine innocence recaptured and a chance to look at the world anew via the goggles of LSD [Taken from the must see 1964 BBC Documentary The Beyond Within which can be seen in full here: ...and finally, Read more:Ireland
We're taking Barack and Hillary's lead ... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 in the whole self-nomination game. For In Fact, Ah it's the Irish Blog Awards. Seriously, it's the only way to get people to consider you a serious contender. But a sincere thanks to those who saw fit to nominate us in no less than 6 categories, including Best Blog, Best Group Blog, Best Music, Best Designed, Best Arts & Culture and Best Sport.After this second round, it's the shortlist proper for the awards on the night. Go here and vote for who you think deserves a crack at causing a scene in the Alexander Hotel on March 3rd.tags:irishblogawards Read more:Barack
, Hillary
Comparing Penises On The Luas 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I hope you didn't choke on your coffee there reader, but yes, you did read that post title correctly first time around. Here's the full story on boards.ie.To borrow a phrase, talk to In Fact, Ah. What would you do if subjected to such an ordeal?tags: Luas
How many airmiles are on those roses? 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Some fodder for the day that's in it...Soldout - I Don't Want To Have Sex With YouMadvillain - Fancy Clown [Listen]Death Cab For Cutie - Your Heart Is An Empty Room Radiohead - Lurgee (Live)Stars - Your Ex-Lover Is DeadMy Morning Jacket - Heartbreakin' Man (Live)Jens Lekman - Do You Remember The Riots (Live)Shellac - Prayer To God (Live)Tom Waits - Who Are You?The Shins - Gone For Good (Live)Avalanches - Since I Left YouInterpol - Obstacle 1tags: valentine, music
Sometimes a dick-in-a-box just isn't enough 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Since we've been talking about penises recently, why not extent this to dildos. My offline buddy Nicole tells a Valentine story like you've never heard before ...tags:valentines Read more:Sometimes
Six Nations Tipping Results 1970-01-01 00:59:59 The general malaise persists still since last weekend. I just hope a pitcure like the above is now branded on the players' psyche until September 21st.Lets hope the provinces can put in good performances tonight to help nudge the mood forward. The great hope of Irish propping, Darragh Hurely gets a start for Munster tonight, while Leinster have a very exciting side out also for somewhat of a grudge match against their arch nemisis Edinburgh who inflicted a humbling defeat on the Irish province earlier this year in the Heineken cup.Here are the cumulative totals after Match Weekend 2 of the In Fact, Ah Six Nations
Tipping Competition [Lower Score is Better].Tom 78Dae 97Incognito 101Murray 120Barabus 121Egardoo 122Da Rossie 125Francie 127Jap 137PMC 139The Salmon Of Knowledge 146Colm 148Gib 167The Slippery Orange Ballcock 176Cahony 178Bull 182Lorenzo 217Don't forget to return next Thursday to get your predictions for Match Weekend 3 in.Also, please vote for In Fact, Ah in the Irish Blog Read more:Six Nations
What, this old blog? Stop. We're blushing. 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Only two weeks to go to the second Irish Blog Awards and news has come through this evening that In Fact, Ah will be competing for three of the statuettes; Best Group Blog, Best Arts & Culture Blog and Best Sports Blog.Really looking forward to meeting Twenty Major again. But that old codger can change his own nappy next time. An occasion like this demands that I wear my man-size communion suit and spend my communion money on pints of blackcurrant. What is everyone wearing?But our nominations are not without controversy. No, sirree Bob. Rumblings come from Robin Blanford, who usually writes about climbing mountains and rescuing people from the sea in Howth, who says that "The possible "Best Irish Sports Blog" could be In Fact, Ah with approximately 3 posts a months actually about a sport, the other 95% is Arts & Culture - and justified for that award."We're causing a stir already! No such thing as bad publicity, eh? And for the record, we publish sports content more than 3 times a Read more:blushing
Cheltenham Part 4 - The Irish Independant Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase 1970-01-01 00:59:59 My pores are starting to seep sweat what with this year's Cheltenham
festival just three weeks away. Along with many other punters I'm starting to get giddy at the prospect of a great racing festival. The second race of this year's festival week will be the the Arkle Chase. Named after the great steeplechaser Arkle, who won the Gold Cup three years in a row, this race has seen a strong Irish
representation in recent years but success has been most notable with Martin Pipe-trained winners, like Contraband and Well Chief in recent years. Run over exactly two miles, the Arkle requires both speed and good jumping technique to compete well and the recent form is often a good guide. Analysis of recent Arkle winners points towards entrants coming to Cheltenham on the back of an impressive season. Shocks in the Arkle are few and far between and the market favourites usually perform well.The race has a clear favourite in Fair Along - the best price available has been at 11/4. This horse will Read more:Independant
, Challenge
, Trophy
, Steeple
Ray LaMontagne - Till the Sun Turns Black 1970-01-01 00:59:59 The solo singer songwriter is a much beleaguered soul around these parts. Armed only with a guitar and their inspiration those said artists seeking glowing affirmations of their labour aren't like to find much currency from most of the In Fact, Ah crew. The list of offending acts is eternally expanding: Rice, O'Rourke, Blunt, Gray, Ritter, Mundy, Rosey, Mark Geary, Fionn Regan, James Morrision etc etc etc. They all seem to espouse the same acoustic portrayal of the "boy meets girl, girl breaks boy's heart and boy picks up guitar and writes song about it' story. Insipid lyrics and tedious acoustic arrangements aside I guess the bottom line is that their music doesn't leave any imprint on my psyche or any recurring melody in my head. I began to think perhaps I'm the problem here. Maybe their music is really not that shite and it's just another case of musical snobbery on my part, not willing to recognise true talent. But no, thankfully here comes Ray LaMontagne to my res Read more:Black
Crossing the Internet owners' palms with silver 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Rational people don't tell me their secrets, so why would they confess all to corporations? Every time you search the Internet
, you're giving away a very pure thought about what you're thinking. Some search engines are not as transparent as others in terms of what they do with your personal private data, yet most punters are still happy to divulge their darkest secrets.What does all of this mean? In essence, we are all contributing to a collective mind. It's entirely measurable and fantastically accurate. In lots of instances, it will predict the future for you. Recently the Hitwise blog, a side project for the Web analytics company, looked into predicting who is ahead in the race for the 2008 Democratic nomination for the White House. Using Google Trends, you can see what Internet users are searching on ...Using this type of data is like gold for Internet advertisers. Being able to predict when people go looking to buy products is a very powerful thing to be able to do. For exampl Read more:Crossing
, palms
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